Reviewed by Adrianos Facchetti, Esq. · Updated November 2026
On a bicycle, a car door or a turning driver can change your life in a second. If you were hit while riding in Glendale, you may be facing fractures, a head injury, time off work and an insurance company that’s already looking for a reason to blame you. A Glendale bicycle accident lawyer can take on the insurer while you focus on healing.
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti has represented injured people since 2006 and has handled more than 1,000 personal injury cases. We’ve recovered compensation for cyclists hit by cars, including a $250,000 auto v. bicycle result. Our office is in Burbank, a short drive from Glendale. Clients rate us 5.0 stars across 280+ reviews, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Call 626-793-8607. Someone answers 24/7, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Key Takeaways
- ✓California gives cyclists the same rights and duties as drivers under Vehicle Code § 21200.
- ✓Glendale bans riding on sidewalks in business districts unless the sidewalk is a marked bike route, under Glendale Municipal Code § 10.64.025.
- ✓Most injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years. Claims against the City of Glendale need a government claim within 6 months.
- ✓You can still recover if you were partly at fault.
Our Bicycle Accident Results
These are recent results for cyclists and others hit on Southern California streets. You can see all 21 results on our Case Results page.
$250,000
Auto v. Bicycle
Video footage gave the defense an argument. We didn’t let it define the case.
$95,000
Bicycle v. Auto, Wrist Injury
We pushed back on the insurer’s valuation and settled for $94,999.99.
$25,000
E-Bike Rider Hit in a Burbank Crosswalk
The police report blamed our client. We showed the law was on his side, and State Farm paid its full policy limit in two months.
$1,250,000
Pedestrian Hit in a Crosswalk
Full policy limits despite real challenges in the case.
$2,750,000
Motorcycle v. Auto
More than 27 times the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts.
How Often Are Cyclists Hurt in Glendale?
Glendale’s commercial corridors mix parked cars, turning traffic and riders. The California Office of Traffic Safety counted 44 bicyclists killed or injured in Glendale in 2022, its most recent city ranking. That placed Glendale 25th of 61 similar-size California cities.
44
Bicyclists killed or injured in Glendale (2022)
25th
Of 61 similar-size California cities (OTS)
Riders are most exposed in places like:
- !Brand Blvd, Central Ave and Glenoaks Blvd, where bikes pass rows of parked cars
- !The Americana at Brand and Glendale Galleria area, with heavy turning and parking traffic
- !SR-134 and I-5 on-ramps, where drivers speed up and change lanes
- !Crossings near the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk and the LA River path
How Do Glendale Bicycle Accidents Happen?
Most crashes trace back to a driver who didn’t look for a cyclist. The patterns we see most:
Dooring
Someone in a parked car opens a door into a rider.
Right Hooks
A driver passes a cyclist, then turns right across the bike.
Left-Turn Crashes
An oncoming driver turns in front of a rider.
Close Passes
A driver passes within 3 feet or squeezes a rider into the curb.
Driveway and Garage Exits
Drivers pull out without checking for bikes.
Hit-and-Runs
The driver leaves the scene.
Road Defects
Potholes, broken pavement and debris.
Knowing which pattern fits your crash tells us what evidence to collect first.
Glendale and California Bike Laws That Can Decide Your Case
Insurance adjusters often assume the cyclist was at fault. These laws are where we push back:
| Rule | What it means | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Equal rights | Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers | Vehicle Code § 21200 |
| 3-foot passing | Drivers must give at least 3 feet, or slow and pass only when safe | Vehicle Code § 21760 |
| Dooring | No one may open a door into traffic unless it’s reasonably safe | Vehicle Code § 22517 |
| Lane position | Riders may leave the curb to avoid hazards and parked-car doors, or to turn left | Vehicle Code § 21202 |
| Bike lanes | Drivers may enter a bike lane only to turn or park, and must yield | Vehicle Code § 21209 |
| Helmets | Required only for riders under 18 | Vehicle Code § 21212 |
| E-bikes | Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes follow class-specific rules | Vehicle Code § 312.5 |
| Glendale sidewalks | No riding on sidewalks in a business district unless it’s a marked bike route | Glendale Municipal Code § 10.64.025 |
Is It Legal to Ride a Bike on the Sidewalk in Glendale?
Usually not in business areas. Glendale Municipal Code § 10.64.025 bans sidewalk riding in a business district unless the sidewalk is marked as a bike route. California Vehicle Code § 240 defines a business district broadly, covering areas with stores, offices, apartments or public buildings, so it can be hard to tell where riding is allowed.
If you were hit while riding on a sidewalk, you may still have a claim. The question is whether the sidewalk riding actually caused the crash, and a driver pulling out of a driveway still has to look.
Who Is at Fault in a Glendale Bike Crash?
It depends on the evidence, but drivers are often responsible. In a dooring crash, Vehicle Code § 22517 makes the person who opened the door responsible, whether that’s the driver, a passenger or a rideshare rider. In a right hook or left-turn crash, the driver who failed to yield is usually at fault.
We investigate by pulling the police report, finding witnesses and requesting video from nearby businesses before it’s recorded over. Our $250,000 case shows why: video can cut both ways, and you need a lawyer who can put it in context.
What If You Were Partly at Fault?
You can still recover. California’s pure comparative fault rule reduces your award by your share of blame. If your damages are $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, you’d recover $80,000. Our $25,000 e-bike case started with a police report against our client, and we still collected the full policy limit.
$100,000
Total damages
20%
Your share of fault
$80,000
What you still recover
What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Fled?
Your own auto policy’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage often applies even when you were on a bike. See our guide to California UIM coverage for bicyclists. Report a hit-and-run to the Glendale Police Department right away.
Insurance company blaming you, or the driver fled? We’ll review your case for free.
What Injuries Do Cyclists Suffer?
With nothing to absorb the impact, bike crashes often cause:
- ✓Head injuries, from concussions to skull fractures and brain bleeds, even with a helmet
- ✓Broken collarbones, wrists, arms and legs
- ✓Spinal and back injuries
- ✓Facial and dental injuries
- ✓Road rash and scarring
- ✓PTSD, anxiety and fear of riding again
Some of these, especially concussions, don’t show symptoms right away. Get checked the same day.
How Much Is a Glendale Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
It depends on how serious your injuries are, your medical costs, your lost income and how much insurance is available. Serious injuries with high medical bills can lead to settlements or verdicts in the hundreds of thousands or more.
You can pursue:
| Damages | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical costs | ER care, surgery, physical therapy, future treatment |
| Lost income | Missed work and reduced earning ability |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain and emotional distress |
| Property | Your bike, helmet, lights, phone and gear |
| Wrongful death | Funeral costs and lost support for families |
Be wary of any lawyer who tells you what your case is worth at the first meeting. No one can value a case honestly until your doctors know the full extent of your injuries.
What Should You Do After a Bike Accident in Glendale?
The first hours and days can protect your health and your claim:
- 1Call 911 so police and paramedics document the scene.
- 2Photograph everything: the car, the door or lane, your bike, your injuries and the plate.
- 3Get witness names and numbers.
- 4See a doctor the same day, even if you feel fine.
- 5Keep your bike and gear as they are. They’re evidence.
- 6Don’t give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurer.
- 7Get the police report from the Glendale Police Department, 131 N. Isabel St.
- 8Call a bicycle accident lawyer before signing anything, including a check for your bike.
How Long Do You Have to File?
California’s deadlines are strict. Missing one can end your claim:
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Most injury lawsuits | 2 years from the crash | CCP § 335.1 |
| Claim against the City of Glendale or another public agency | 6 months to file a government claim first | Gov. Code § 911.2 |
| Wrongful death | Generally 2 years from the death | CCP § 335.1 |
| Injured minor | Generally paused until 18, except government claims | CCP § 352 |
Glendale cases that go to court are often heard at the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Glendale Courthouse, 600 E. Broadway.
Claims against the City of Glendale have a 6-month deadline. Don’t wait.
How Our Glendale Bicycle Accident Lawyers Help
From the first call to the final check, here’s how we handle your case:
- 1Free, confidential consultation to review what happened
- 2Investigation: police report, witnesses, photos and video
- 3Insurance claims with every policy that applies, including your own UM coverage
- 4Medical care: we help connect you with doctors if you need treatment
- 5Negotiation once your treatment is complete
- 6Lawsuit if the insurer won’t pay fair value
You’ll get regular updates throughout, so you always know where your case stands.
How Much Does a Glendale Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency, so our fee is a percentage of what we recover, usually 33% to 40%. If we don’t win, you owe no attorney’s fee.
Why Glendale Cyclists Choose the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti
Cyclists choose us for local experience and proven results:
- ✓Results for cyclists, including $250,000 in an auto v. bicycle case
- ✓Since 2006, with more than 1,000 personal injury cases handled
- ✓Rated 5.0 stars across 280+ reviews; Voted Burbank’s Best 2026
- ✓Close by: our office at 4444 W Riverside Dr #308 in Burbank is a short drive from Glendale
- ✓24/7, in English, Spanish and Portuguese
Frequently Asked Questions About Glendale Bicycle Accidents
+Can I Sue If I Was Riding an E-Bike?
Yes. Most bike protections apply to e-bikes. Your e-bike’s class under Vehicle Code § 312.5 can affect where you were allowed to ride. Our bicycle accident guides cover California e-bike laws in detail.
+What If a Cyclist Hit Me?
Cyclists must follow traffic laws too, and you may have a claim against a cyclist who caused a crash. Our bicycle accident guides explain when you can sue.
+Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Bike Accident?
Not always. If you weren’t hurt and only your bike was damaged, you may be able to handle the property claim yourself. If you were injured, talk to a lawyer before signing anything, because a property release can end your injury claim.
+Can My Family File a Claim If a Bike Crash Was Fatal?
Yes. A spouse, children or other eligible family members can bring a wrongful death claim, generally within two years.
Talk to a Glendale Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
You had every right to be on the road. Let us handle the insurers, the evidence and the deadlines while you heal.
- Free, confidential case review
- No fee unless we win
- Someone answers 24/7, in English, Spanish or Portuguese
Call 626-793-8607 or tell us what happened. Most people talk to a lawyer the same day.
Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti
Serving Glendale cyclists from our Burbank office, a short drive from downtown Glendale.
4444 W Riverside Dr #308, Burbank, CA 91505 · 626-793-8607 · Get Directions
